UNICEF: 20m children suffered online sexual abuse in year

A new UNICEF report estimates that approximately 20 million children across 21 countries suffered online sexual abuse or exploitation in just one year. Most incidents occurred on social media platforms like Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram, Snapchat, and TikTok. The report surveyed around 21,000 internet-using children aged 12 to 17 in countries such as Kenya, Pakistan, Brazil, and Serbia.

Nearly 15 million children were exposed to unwanted sexual content, 9 million faced pressure for sexual conversations or image sharing, and 4 million had sexual images shared without their consent. Over half of the cases involved someone the child already knew, such as friends, relatives, or romantic partners. Only a fraction of these cases, less than 1%, were reported to authorities.

The research, one of the largest of its kind, revealed that children who experienced tech-facilitated sexual exploitation were four times more likely to report suicidal thoughts or self-harm compared to their peers. UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell emphasized the profound emotional and mental distress these experiences cause, urging governments and tech companies to strengthen safety measures, update laws, and enhance child protection systems in light of these findings.